Let’s hear it for all the average girls. It might be too much of a stretch to have Lucky O’Donlon, the most charming and handsome SEAL in Alpha Squad to fall for a woman who is plain, but a big thanks to Suzanne Brockmann for making Sydney Jameson the heroine of Get Lucky an average looking (albeit very intelligent) character.

Most of the men from Alpha Squad have gone on a mission. Lucky has stayed behind. His half-sister Ellen (my favorite name) is getting married and Lucky is going to walk her down the aisle. While Lucky is on leave, a serial rapist strikes for the seventh time in the town of San Felipe. Details about the attacks lead the police to conclude that the rapist could be connected to the SEALS stationed on the naval base near the town. The authorities form a task force and Lucky is the SEAL representative on it.

Also on the task force is free-lance journalist Sydney (Syd) Jameson whose neighbor was the latest victim of the rapist. Syd has gotten a good look at the rapist and has actually heard him speak. When she first sees Lucky, all golden hair, golden skin, blue eyes and perfect teeth, Syd’s first thought is “Navy Ken.” That impression is confirmed when she sees him at a bar with one of his dates of choice, “Brainless Barbie.” But an attraction develops between Syd and Lucky and the tension begins to build.

Syd is quite average looking. She is not tall and golden with yards of legs and hair. Syd is on the short side with brown hair and eyes, a small bust and wide hips. But unlike most of Lucky’s dates who don’t smile (it gives you wrinkles), Syd is not afraid to show her emotions or her intelligence. For almost the first time in his dating life, Lucky is with a woman with whom he can hold a conversation.

One of the attractions of Suzanne Brockmann’s series of SEALS books for me, is the large amount of action that she puts into them. There is not as much action in Get Lucky as there has been in some of her other SEAL books, and I sort of missed it. We don’t actually see the rapist except in short glimpses, and most of the action happens off-stage. I know that most romance readers will not complain about the lack of action scenes, but as Brockmann does such a good job with them, I wish there had been more.

The best part of Get Lucky is the developing attraction between Syd and Lucky. Their relationship does not have an auspicious beginning, Syd initially thinks Lucky is only a bimboy and he thinks she is dowdy, but as they get to know each other, they both realize how special the other one is.

I would especially like to mention the scene where Lucky tells Syd about his stepfather’s influence on him. Lucky’s biological father was a feckless hippie who abandoned him and his mother. Lucky’s mother’s second husband was a man who was a refugee from political persecution in Central America. Lucky had a chance to see his country through this man’s eyes and he resolved to do whatever he could to make sure this country stays free. So he became a SEAL. This scene stirred my patriotic blood and reminded me of how very fortunate I am to live where I do.

The scene where Lucky proposes to Syd in front of all the other SEALS and their wives was funny and sweet as well – I wish it had gone on longer. Get Lucky is a worthy addition to Suzanne Brockmann’s Tall, Dark and Dangerous miniseries, a series that shows no signs of slacking off at all. Don’t be put off by the hideous cover – those blurry-looking figures are not our Lucky and Syd. Just ignore them and concentrate on the story, I’ll bet you love it.